Psychiatr. pro Praxi, 2006; 5: 207-210

Antipsychotics treatment and metabolic syndrome

MUDr. Dita Kalnická, prof. MUDr. Jan Libiger CSc

Psychiatrická klinika LF UK a FN Hradec Králové

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a complex of metabolic changes that includes abdominal obesity, elevation of blood pressure, impairment of glucose tolerance and lipid changes. The prevalence of MS is higher in patients with schizophrenia than in general population. Its presence may affect the elevated mortality rate among the patients. The interest in the influence of pharmacological treatment on the incidence of metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia appeared after the second generation of antipsychotic drugs had been introduced. The results of studies that investigated the association of the metabolic syndrome with pharmacological treatment of psychosis provide arguments for a necessity to monitor metabolic parameters in patients treated for schizophrenia. Psychoeducation and behavioral techniques focused on life style changes and eating habits are an important aspect in preventing the metabolic syndrome.

Keywords: schizophrenia, antipsychotics, metabolic syndrome

Published: December 1, 2006  Show citation